nesa (North East Somerset Arts) has been working with children from years 4 and 5 at St Nicholas School in Radstock using sculpture and physical theatre and clowning skills to broadcast the message about healthy living. Using the arts to deliver a health agenda is a new way of teaching children about their bodies and what it means to be really healthy and happy.

Jenny worked with the children for 10 weeks on a variety of clowning and performance skills which formed the basis for their show ‘Guide to Healthy Living’. This was devised by the children and then scripted by Jenny and Amy. 

A hapless scientist delivers the message to live life well aided and sabotaged in equal measure by a clown ensemble. There is a super hero battle, an obstacle course, exercise demonstrations, lots of fantastic clown dancing and a big pyramid at the end. This was performed to the whole school, parents, governors and guests on 27th March 2007.  Click here to view video.

Outcomes from the project have been an increased awareness of what it means to be healthy, raised confidence levels in the children taking part and increased physical activity as well as the new skills learned being disseminated through peer groups. nesa are continuing the ‘Fit for Life’ project due to the success of this pilot.